Azalea plant named ‘Crimson Princess’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of dwarf Azalea originated as a whole plant sport of Azalea ‘Crimson Majesty.’ The new variety possesses unique red foliage, (grayed purple group 187-A) and is a dwarf, with height about 15-18 inches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of evergreenazalea botanically known as Rhododendron indicum. Richard Odomdiscovered this new azalea variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘CrimsonPrincess’, as a naturally occurring whole plant sport mutation of Azalea‘Crimson Majesty’, which originated as a naturally occurring branchsport of Azalea ‘Red Formosa’. ‘Red Formosa’ is an unpatented azaleathat is well-know in the trade in zones 7-9.

Rooted cuttings of ‘Crimson Majesty’ were planted in containers. Twoplants were discovered in a cultivated setting of ‘Crimson Majesty’ thatwere noticeably smaller in size with closer branching, smaller leavesand more red or purple pigmentation. Cuttings were taken from one ofthese plants only one time, and subsequent generation cuttings weretaken from all plants with the same desirable characteristics. All workwas undertaken at Country Pines Nursery, Inc. in Forest Hills, La. Afterseveral generations of asexual propagation from rooting cuttings, thepresent plant has been developed with unique coloration and dwarf growthhabitat.

Asexual propagation of the new plant by rooting cuttings has been underMr. Odom's direction at the same location. Several generations of thenew plant have been evaluated and the distinctive characteristics of theplant have remained stable. The plant cannot be reproduced true fromseed.

Plant cuttings are allowed to root and grow in a 2.25 inch diameter(rosecup) container for 6-8 months, at which time the plant is about1.5-2.5 inches in height, and is then transferred to a one galloncontainer. After an additional 10-12 months of growth, the plant isabout 6-7 inches in height and about 6-7 inches in spread. At this time,the plant is sufficiently large for commercial sale as a one gallonplant. If larger plants are desired for commercial sale, the plant canbe re-potted from the one gallon container to a three gallon container.An additional 8-10 months of growth in the three gallon container isgenerally needed to produce a commercial three gallon container plant,at about 10-12 inches in height and 16-18 inches in spread.

Patent applications have been filed herewith for Azalea ‘CrimsonMajesty’, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/930,573, a full sizeazalea which originated from a naturally occurring branch sport of ‘RedFormosa’, and azalea ‘Crimson Queen’, U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/930,575, a semi-dwarf form which originated from a branch sport ofAzalea ‘Crimson Princess’. The three ‘Crimson’ azaleas have similar leafcoloration (187-A, 187-B, grayed purple group)(the foliage of ‘CrimsonQueen’ is lighter than that of ‘Crimson Princess’ but darker that of‘Crimson Majesty’ in appearance) and differ primary in growth sizecharacteristics: ‘Crimson Princess’ being a dwarf (about 10-12 inches inheight at about two ½ years from cutting), ‘Crimson Queen’ a semi-dwarf(about 16-18 inches in height at about 2½ years from cutting) and‘Crimson Majesty’ being a standard (about 24-28 inches in height atabout 2½ years). See FIGS. 8 and 9. By contrast, the stock ‘Red Formosa’is a standard azalea (about 24-28 inches at two ½ years from cutting,with an ultimate height of 5-8 feet). All of the ‘Crimson’ hybridazaleas have strikingly different foliage coloration (187-A, 187-B,greyed purple group) from ‘Red Formosa’ (N189A greyed green group). SeeFIGS. 2 and 9.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Crimson on the upper and lower surfaces (greyed purple group, 187-A);shades of green somewhat more evident on the upper surface, less so onthe lower. The crimson color is more intense on the new foliage anddiminishes somewhat as the leaves age resulting in the older foliagehaving a deep crimson/green hue. Color differs significantly fromstandard ‘Red Formosa’ which has bright green foliage at all stages ofmaturity. Veins, especially the midvein and secondary veins, on theunderside of the leaves on the ‘Crimson Princess’ retain the crimsoncolor with age. The cultivar has a compact growth habitat. The flower issimilar of that to Azalea ‘Red Formosa’, but is not considered a novelfeature of the cultivar.

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Forest Hill, La.

1. The unique foliage coloration, color greyed-purple group, 187-A.

2. Easily propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring throughthe summer.

3. Fast growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions.

4. Upright, dense and globose in nature.

5. Small compact growth.

6. Makes a good container plant.

7. Useful in confined landscape areas.

8. Suitable under low windows and in front of porches;

9. Suitable frontal plants in wide beds; and

10. Groupings within landscape beds.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new Azalea Hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic prints in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the “Crimson” varieties of azaleas in placeadjacent to the usual green colored leafed azaleas, demonstrating thedifference in the plant's coloration to that of standard azaleas.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the “Crimson” varieties in filtered lightadjacent to ‘Red Formosa’ azaleas. ‘Crimson Princess’ is in theforeground, ‘Crimson Queen’ in the middle ground, and ‘Crimson Majesty’in the background left of the photograph showing the difference incoloration from ‘Red Formosa’. All plants are approximately 2.5 years ofage from cuttings.

FIG. 3 shows the variety adjacent to the ‘Red Formosa’ of the “Crimson”line.

FIG. 4 shows the foliage and stem color of the underside of the foliageof ‘Red Formosa’ the parent stock of the “Crimson” varieties.

FIG. 5 shows the foliage and stem color of the upper surface foliage of‘Red Formosa’ the parent stock of the “Crimson” varieties.

FIG. 6 shows the dense, upright and globose growth habit of a threegallon plant 2.5 year old plant of the instant variety showing foliageand stem color of the underside surface of the foliage.

FIG. 7 shows the dense, upright and globose growth habit of a threegallon plant 2.5 year old plant of the instant variety showing foliageand stem color of the upper surface of the foliage.

FIG. 8 shows the three “Crimson” variety plants adjacent each other toshow the distinction in plant growth characteristics, all plants beingabout 2.5 years of age from cuttings in a three gallon container.

FIG. 9 stems with foliage from all three “Crimson” variety of plantsadjacent to stems of ‘Red Formosa’.

FIG. 10 show a close up of the stem and leaf structure of the instantvariety showing the coloration.

FIG. 11 shows a close up of a flower representative of the instantCrimson variety.

FIG. 12 shows a close up of a flower from the ‘Red Formosa’ variety.

FIG. 13 shows a close up of a bud from the ‘Red Formosa’ variety.

The colors shown are as true as is reasonably possible to obtain byconventional photographic procedures. The colors of the various plantparts are defined with reference to The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart. Description of colors in ordinary terms are presentedwhere appropriate for clarity in meaning. Colors in the photographs mayappear different than actual colors due to light reflectance. Colorvalues cited in the Botanical Description of the Plant accuratelydescribe the actual colors of the new Azalea.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is detailed description of the new variety of Azalea basedon my observations made of plants grown in wholesale commercialproduction practices, in greenhouses, and in established landscapeplantings in Forest Hill, La., and was compiled with the assistance ofDr. Lowell E. Urbatsch, Director of the LSU Herbarium, Louisiana StateUniversity.

Botanical Description of the Plant

Scientific name: The plant belongs to a group of azaleas called the“Southern Indian azaleas” or “indicas” that are hybrids derived fromvarious species of Rhododendron or derived directly from various speciesin that genus. Rhododendron indicum (L.) Sweet, although often given asthe scientific name for this group of plants, has had little or no partin the parentage of the indicas. Most indicas are descendents ofRhododendron simsii Planch. R. mucronatum G. Don and/or R. pulchrumSweet or their hybrids; in the industry, however, the accepted parentageis considered that of Rhododendron indicum.

Cultivar: ‘Crimson Princess’, a dwarf indica azalea.

Growth habit: Shape of the plant at maturity: Broad compact,mound-forming shrubs. Individuals approximately 15-18 inches tall atabout 2.5 years of age and 15-18 inches broad. It has not been observedas a mature plant in the landscape.

Branching habit: Sympodial (branching without a main axis but with many,more or less, equal laterals). One to several stems are evident at ornear ground level that branch and re-branch frequently and at closeintervals. Branches ascending or arcuate-ascending to upright. Branchcharacteristics (on mature growth of the current season): branch length,7-14 cm; branch diameter, 1.5-2.5 mm; internode length, 4-11 mm.

Characteristics of the plant in winter dormancy: During the winter theplants are evergreen, i.e., the leaves remain on the stems. No signs ofgrowth or flowering are evident during winter. Hardiness is expected tobe similar to ‘Red Formosa’ cultivars. It has proven to be hardy inregard to winter cold and summer heat in the southern portion of zone 8.

Bark: Stem coloration on twigs is 59-A Red Purple group; bark coloration(on stems greater than 2 years old) is 176-B grayed-orange group. Thestems, at least the lower ones, are rarely visible due to the compactleafy nature of the plants and, therefore, contribute little to itsornamental qualities.

Flowers:

Flower arrangement: Arranged singly at stem terminus; flowers faceoutward and upward. However, observations were limited, as flowering issparse in the plants of less than 4 years old.

Flower appearance: Corolla 5-lobed; star shaped; flaring open, about 7cm across (lobe tip to lobe tip); 4.5-5.5 cm deep; diameter at base oflobes is 2-2.5 cm; corolla lobes are spreading at right angles to longaxis of the flower, corolla is a single whorl of petals, occasionallywith 1-2 additional petal internal to the corolla, these inner petalsare smaller may be as long as 2 cm long and 1 cm wide and have aspatulate shape.

Flower bud: Rate of opening just after bud corolla becomes visible isabout 2-3 days but rate is variable with temperature, sunlight, andpossible other conditions. Corolla color becomes visible when bud isabout 15 mm long and 8 mm wide. Flower bud shape is ovoid in shape whenviewed dorsal-ventrally. It is about 4 cm long and 1.5-2 cm wide whenthe petals begin to open. In side view bud bulges slightly outward,inner surface is slightly concave. Overall, the bud has a somewhatfalcate shape. As viewed from the top or in cross-section bud isslightly 5-lobed. Color of corolla in bud stage is near 71-C (Fan 2,Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart).

Petals: The petals are 5 in number and basally fused forming a corollatube 2-3 cm long. Petal appearance is satiny; texture is smooth; petalsare spatulate (obovate) and 4.5-6 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide with roundedlobes. The lobes are 2.7-3.3 cm long; they are somewhat undulate andmargins of the lobes are entire to slightly crenate; margins are alsoundulate, with about 2 undulations per lobe giving the flower a ruffledappearance. External and internal petal color of the corolla lobes isnear 71-B (Fan 2, Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart). The petals(corolla tube) are slightly lighter toward the base being close to color71-C (compare with ‘Red Formosa’ at 64-B). The anterior (upper) petal atabout mid-level and below is mottled with darker spots close to 71-A incolor (compare with ‘Red Formosa’ at 61-A). Otherwise petal color israther uniform.

Sepals: Sepals are fused basally forming a 5-lobed calyx; each sepal iselliptic in shape and approximately 12 mm long and 5 mm wide with thelowermost 0.5-1 mm of each fused together forming a short calyx tube.The calyx lobes are approximately 11 mm long. Calyx diameter (sepal tipto sepal tip) is about 2 cm. The sepals have entire margins, acuteapices, moderate amount of pubescence abaxially (outer surface) andglabrous adaxially (inner surface). Sepal color is close to 138-C (fan3, green group) on both inner and outer surfaces.

Peduncle: Peduncle (i.e., the stalk supporting a cluster of flowers)length is about 25 mm long and about 2 mm in diameter; it is somewhatflexible and it provides strong support for the flower; it is moderatelypubescent with uniseriate hairs; and near 186-A (fan 4, grey-purplegroup).

Reproductive organs: Androecium consists of 9-10 stamens. Filaments are3.5-4.5 mm long with a diameter of less than 1.5 mm; filament color isclosest to 61-A; filaments are flexible and slightly exceeding length ofthe corolla and, therefore, are slightly exerted. Anthers are 1.5-2 mmlong; oblong in shape; and closest to 79-B in color; pollen is a creamywhite, 155-D, and produced in moderate amounts. Gynoecium appears toconsist of 5 fused carpels. The ovary is densely pubescent (sericeous)with the hairs fully obscuring ovary surface; hairs are shiny andclosest to N155-A (fan 4, white group) in color; ovary shape is ovoidand about 4 mm long. The style is about 6.5 cm long, 1.5 mm in diameterand near 61-A in color. The stigma is truncate (i.e., with a flatsurface) and circular to slightly lobed in end view with a diameter of1.5 mm.

Leaves:

Arrangement.—Leaves alternate, that is one leaf per node. Leaves spacedabout ⅛ to ½ inches apart along the stems. Leaf stalk (petiole) about ⅛to ⅜ inches long.

Shape.—Leaves elliptic to oblanceolate in outline; apices acute toacuminate; bases cuneate to rounded. Margins entire although somewhatciliate.

Size.—½ to 1 inch broad and 1 to 2 inches long including the petiole.

Color.—Crimson on the upper and lower surfaces; shades of green somewhatmore evident on the upper surface, less so on the lower. The crimsoncolor is more intense on the new foliage and diminishes somewhat as theleaves age resulting in the older foliage having a deep crimson/greenhue. Color differs significantly from standard ‘Red Formosa’ which hasbright green foliage at all stages of maturity. See FIG. 9. Veins,especially the midvein and secondary veins, on the underside of theleaves on the ‘Crimson Princess’ retain the crimson color with age. SeeFIG. 10.

The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart was used as per theirinstructions in order to better quantify the colors of the leaves. Theresults are summarized in the following Table 1.

TABLE 1 Variation Age of RHS color Best color among leaves Feature groupmatch leaves Newly Upper surface Greyed-Purple 187-A — formed Groupleaves Lower surface Greyed-Purple 185-A 187-B Group Veins, lowerGreyed-Purple 185-A 187-B surface Group Mature Upper surface¹Greyed-Purple 187-A 139-A, leaves Group Green Group Lower surface¹Greyed-Purple 184-B 139-A, Group Green Group Veins, lower Greyed-Purple183-B — surface Group ¹The mature leaves appear to be a blending of thegreen and reddish colors resulting in the greyed purple color. However,the green is somewhat more evident in the mature leaves compared to theyounger ones.

As a comparison, coloration of ‘Red Formosa’ is as follows: leaves uppersurface, grayed-green group, N189A; leaves lower surface, green group,138A; stem coloration 138-B Green group; bark coloration, 177-BGrayed-orange group; petiole coloration 138-B, 138-C Green Group. SeeFIGS. 4 and 5.

Indumentum: The indumentum or plant hairs (trichomes) are hirsute innature, i.e., the individual hairs are uniseriate, slender, tapering atthe tip and arising more or less perpendicular to the epidermis, andbecoming somewhat flexuous slightly about the leaf surface. The hairsgive the leaves and twigs a somewhat bristly texture. The same type ofhairs are present on both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. In terms ofdensity the indumentum is characterized as being moderately pubescentwith the hairs being spaced about {fraction (1/32)} inch (0.5 mm) apart.On the lower surface the hairs are somewhat more closely spaced alongthe veins and petioles. Indumentum on the stems is similar except forthe hairs being somewhat more closely spaced than on the leaf bladesurfaces.

Fruit: None apparent.

Other:

Petiole.—Length 5-6 mm; diameter 3 mm wide, 1.5 mm thick; coloration:upper and lower surfaces surface, 59-A Red Purple Group.

Fragrance.—Insignificant — none apparent.

Taste.—Not relevant.

Disease resistances.—No known Azalea diseases observed to date on plantsgrown under commercial conditions. Expected to be similar to ‘RedFormosa’ cultivars — resistant to flower and leaf gall, caused byexobasidium vaccinii and root rot caused phytophthora cinnamomi;susceptible to Lace bug and to petal blight caused by ovulinia azalea.

Vigor.—Similar to ‘Red Formosa’ cultivars, hardy in zones 7-9.

Seed production.—Seed production has not been observed.

I claim:
 1. A new and unique variety of Azalea plant named ‘CrimsonPrincess’ as herein shown and described.